Liverpool have announced plans to erect a permanent sculpture at Anfield in memory of Diogo Jota. The club has also confirmed that players will don a “Forever 20” emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets this season.
Additionally, the club revealed a special commemoration, which will include a fan mosaic and a minute’s silence prior to Liverpool’s opening match of the season against Bournemouth on August 15.
Since the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Jota and his brother, André Silva, on July 3, thousands of flowers, scarves, banners, and other tributes have been laid outside Anfield. The club states that these have been collected over the past week and stored, with floral tributes being composted for use in flower beds across club sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Centre, and AXA Melwood Training Centre.
Remaining artefacts will be recycled to create a permanent memorial sculpture, which will serve as a focal point of remembrance at Anfield. Liverpool had previously announced that, following discussions with Jota’s family, his No. 20 shirt will be retired across all levels of the club, including the women’s and academy teams.
Supporters can have “Diogo J. 20” printed on shirts in club stores, with profits going to the LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity, which has committed to establishing a grassroots football programme in Jota’s name.
A floral tribute will also be placed before kickoff at pre-season games in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Anfield.
